Crisis Mode

Everywhere you turn lately people are talking about the crisis in our country. Every news station has experts, politicians and the like weighing in on who is to blame for the country's economic crisis. We have an oil crisis, a mortgage crisis, an employment crisis, a financial crisis, an energy crisis and by the looks of food prices a food crisis as well. All of the finger pointing and blame games do nothing to identify the source or the solution for all these problems. Our leaders can spend all the money on earth to boost the economy and bail out institutions but unless we call it what it is, their solution may only amount to a band aid on a broken leg.

In May of this year, I was sitting out on the deck of my sister-n-laws house during a girls weekend getaway. It was a beautiful crisp morning, with the sun shining through the many tree tops in her backyard. As I looked out in wonder at God's creation and beauty the Lord led me to read Psalm 105. I wrote; Remember God's mighty works, all he has done for his people-the nation of Israel. We recount step by step as God protected them, provided for them, led them, blessed them, sheltered them, fed them and even disciplined them. Our Father in heaven has done the same for our Nation, the United States.

Many are unaware that in 1863, our president, Abraham Lincoln made April 30th a National Day of Prayer and Humiliation. He decreed that we, as a nation were to come back to God and humble ourselves, repenting of our sins and asking for God's forgiveness.

So my prayer this Thanksgiving is to thank God for blessing our Nation for so long, providing for our needs, feeding us, and yes even disciplining us. Do not let us forget all that You have done O' Lord to provide and protect your children. Thank you Lord for allowing me to live in a prosperous, abundant and peaceful land. Let our country and our people recognize you Lord are the provider, sustainer and giver of all life. Be still people and know God!

President Lincoln wrote, "It is the duty of our Nation as well as men to depend on God, confess their sins and transgressions, humble yourselves in sorrow because with assurance and hope of our genuine repentance will lead to mercy and forgiveness and recognize the truth in Scripture proven by all history that the Nations only are blessed who's God is the Lord."

So rather than worry and be anxious about the state of our economy, rather than point fingers and blame each other for the problems of our nation, let us follow the direction and duty of a man who once guided our country through one of the most devastating experiences in it's history.

"If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land." 2Chron. 7:14

The Christmas Robe

Every Christmas when making my list of wants for my husband and son to go shopping with, I take a mental inventory as to the condition of my robe. I reflect back on the Christmas gifts I've given over the years to my own mom and the one gift worth repeating was a new robe. What is it that mom's love so much about stepping into and wrapping up in a new robe?

I wondered a bit, was it the comfort of being clothed in the warmth and softness of something new or was it the person who gave the robe that makes it so special? Has God knitted such a desire into the very fabric of my soul to long for a new white robe at Christmas?

Looking deeper into my fondness for a new white robe I found in Revelation 3:4-5, "a few names, those who have not defiled their garments, they shall walk with Me in white for they are worthy. He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life, but confess his name before my Father in Heaven and His angels."

Wow- did this excite me!

Garments in the Greek was literally a large outer garment or a loose upper garment so large that sometimes a man would sleep in it. I'm thinking a big comfy robe!

We know that Jesus is speaking of the believers who are faithful in their service and obedience to Him, it is the reward for the one who overcomes, it's a promise and a gift from God. "And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints." (Rev. 19:8)

What does faithful service look like?

1. We are to fully carry out the ministry God has given us, using our abilities. (2Tim. 4:5) (Eph.4:11-12)

2. Pour out our lives as an offering to God. Our lives are not our own.(2Tim. 4:6)

3. Remain faithful to the things we've been taught; reading the scriptures, encouraging believers and teaching them. (2Tim. 3:14) (1Tim. 4:13)

4. Be a good worker as unto the Lord, doing what the Spirit leads us to do. (Eph. 6:8,5:9)

5. Serve one another in love. (Gal. 5:13)

J.Vernon McGee puts it this way, "A saint my friend, is one who has trusted Christ and is set aside for the sole use of God. There are only two kinds of people today: the saints and the ain'ts. If you are a saint, then you are not an ain't. If you ain't an ain't, then you are a saint."

How does one keep from soiling their garments?

1. Don't break God's laws.(Matt. 7:23)

2. Don't practice immorality,impurity, greed, idolatry and the like. (Eph. 5:5)

3. Take no part in the deeds of evil and darkness.(John 3:19)

4. Don't give in to what your sinful nature craves. (Gal.5:19)

Sadly, many Christians sometimes deceive themselves into thinking that God does not require them to live righteously. Do not be deceived, those who practice such iniquity and lawlessness will not inherit the kingdom of God. Instead choose to be washed, sanctified and justified in the name of the Lord Jesus.

Using an illustration from Luke 5:36- here we have an old robe and a new robe. Now it would seem foolish to take pieces of my new robe and use it to patch up my old robe. I'd have a useless new robe and an old robe that is pieced together. Instead, I choose to put on my new robe and throw away the old one.

I have come to the conclusion that I enjoy a white robe because it reminds me of being washed clean by the blood of my Redeemer, it's softness reminds me of a lambs wool brushing against her Shepherds cheek, my robe is warmth to my soul on a cold morning, and comfort to my bones after a troubled day.

One day I'll be given a white robe made of fine linen that will never wear out, become soiled or fade. My robe is precious to me because of the person who gave it to me. I look forward to the day when Christ will personally wrap me in my white Christmas robe and say welcome home good and faithful servant.